1The American Commissioners to Jean-Daniel Schweighauser, 1 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library We have receivd the enclosd from Made [Madame] Gerard Spouse of M. Gerard, Ambassador of this Court to the United States. She is a Lady that we much respect & if by any means you can procure her the satisfaction She requests you will exceadingly oblige Sir yr. most &c P.S. Any expence you may be at shall be thankfully repaid. A M. Schweighauser. American...
2The American Commissioners to John Ross, 3 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Justin G. Turner, Los Angeles (1959); AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have received yours of the twenty seventh of October, inclosing a Copy of a Resolution of Congress of the 11th August 1778. We shall pay the strictest Attention and Obedience to this Resolution of Congress and to all others, as far as shall be in our Power; and Shall be...
3The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 4 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two) <Passy, November 4, 1778: We have at last seen M. Bersolle’s accounts. According to the resolutions of Congress, all captured vessels of war belong to the officers and crew, who in fact receive a bounty for every man and gun on board. Congress never intended to be accountable for further expense on account of these prizes. Every...
4The American Commissioners to Sartine, 5 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, November 5, 1778: We received your letter of the fifth of this month, but since the memoir concerning the French surgeon was omitted, we cannot give you an adequate answer. The United States has no official policy for prisoners in England. We have loaned small sums to those who have escaped English captivity to...
5The American Commissioners to Marie-Nicole Grossart de Virly Gérard, 7 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives We had the honor of receivg. yr. commands relative to the Portraits taken & carried into Guernsey. We have accordingly written to Mr. S——r at Nantes, who we hope may be able to recover them. As soon as he shall inform us of the success of his endeavors we shall acquaint you with it. We have the honor &c. French minister Gérard’s wife. In Arthur Lee’s hand. Schweighauser.
LS : National Archives; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, South Carolina Historical Society, National Archives (two); two transcripts: National Archives <Passy, November 7, 1778: We enclose copies of our declaration concerning articles 11 and 12 of the Treaty of Commerce, correspondence with M. de Sartine on rescues and recaptures, and correspondence regarding negotiations with the...
7The American Commissioners to Jacques Leveux, 9 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have received your Several Letters of the 26 August, 25 September and 17 October, informing us of Several sums you have advanced to Americans escaped from England. We request you to send Us an Account Stated of all the Disbursements you have made and the Receipts you have taken for the Money; and we consent you...
8The American Commissioners to John Gilbank, 10 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have receivd your Letter of October the Sixth, and wish it was in our Power to do more for officers in your Situation than We do, altho that amounts in the whole to a large Sum. But as We have already lent you as much Money as We have been able to lend to other officers of your Rank and in your Circumstances, we...
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have received your Letters and wish it was in our Power to do more for officers in your Situation than We do, altho that amounts in the whole to a large Sum of Money. But as We have already lent you as much, as We have been able to lend to other officers of your Rank and in your Circumstances, we cannot, without a...
10The American Commissioners to Gentlemen at Nantes, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) : Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have this Moment received the Letter, which you did Us the Honour to write to Us, on the Seventh of the present Month, and We hold ourselves obliged to you for giving Us an opportunity of uniting our Endeavours with yours, to obtain a Sufficient Convoy for the Vessells bound to America for the whole Voyage. It...
11The American Commissioners to Francis Coffyn, 12 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives Your favours of the 15 Octr. and 1st of November We have recd with their Inclosures. And We approve of your Conduct and the Reasons of it, excepting Mr De la Plaine.— As he is not in the service of the united States We cannot justify, putting the united States to Expence for his assistance. You will please to draw upon...
12The American Commissioners to Sartine, 12 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives de la Marine; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives Last Night, We had a Letter from Nantes a Copy of which we have the honour to inclose to your Excellency. The Subject of it appears to us, of great Importance to the United States, as well as to the Individuals, Frenchmen and Americans, who are interested in the Vessels destined to America,...
13The American Commissioners to Sartine: Three Letters, 17 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives; (II) LS : Archives de la Marine; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives; (III) LS : New York Public Library; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have the Honour of your Excellencys Letter of the 14 of this Month informing Us, of his...
14The American Commissioners to James Smith, 17 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives Your Letter of the 15th We duly received, and have written to his Excellency the Compte De Vergennes upon the Subject of it, and inclosed to him the Certificate from Mr Pain. Your Request of a Passport, to go to England We do not think We can consistently grant, unless you previously Subscribe the Declaration and take...
15The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 17 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We communicated to Dr Smith, the Letter which your Excellency did Us the Honour to write to Us concerning his Goods. Since which he has inclosed to Us, the Certificate, of Mr Anthy Paine, which We have the Honour to inclose to your Excellency.— If there are two offices, one in which are deposited, Goods Seized, the...
16The American Commissioners to Jean-Joseph Carié de Montieu, 25 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We had the Honour last Night of your Letter of the 22d, and should be glad to oblige you with the four Ancres you mention, but large Anchors are So Scarce in America and our Countrymen are So distressed for Want of them, that We hope you will excuse Us upon this occasion, as We are about Shipping them home imediately....
17The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 25 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) : Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies, National Archives In Answer to your Letter of the Seventeenth Instant, We desire you would Ship to America, all the Goods belonging to the united States, of any Sort.—and consequently to write for no more Workmen, but dismiss, immediately, all that remain if any. We can give you no Directions about the Articles “entreposed” for the...
18Arthur Lee to Franklin and John Adams, 28 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Your Letter informing me of the Alteration of your Intention, not having reached my House till some time after the Hour you had appointed for setting out for Versailles, I was gone before it arrived. I informed Count Vergennes, that you were coming, & we waited till 5’ O’Clock under no small Embarressment, especially myself, to conceive what detained you....
19The American Commissioners to Gentlemen at Nantes, 27 [i.e., 28] November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We are desired by the Ministry to inform ourselves as precisely as possible, at what Time the Vessells bound to America will be ready to Sail.—it is Said that upon a former Occasion the Convoy was obliged to wait a long Time, an Inconvenience that it is wished may be avoided upon this occasion. We beg your earliest...
20The American Commissioners to Sartine, 30 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives In Answer to your Excellencys Letter of the Twenty fifth of this Month, We have the Honour to inclose, four Papers, with Blancs to be filled as your Excellency may have occasion. These Requests being all the Protection in our Power to give, We hope will have the desired Effect and We have the Honour to be &c In JA ’s hand.
21The American Commissioners to Gentlemen at Nantes, 5 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have, the Mortification to be informed, that our Answer to your Letter, requesting Us to join, in your Request to the Ministry for a Convoy has never reached you. We have the Honour to Send you a duplicate of that which We wrote you on the Eleventh Ulto. and send forth with. We also inclose Copy of our other Letter...
22The American Commissioners to Horneca, Fizeaux & Cie., 6 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have never received from you, any Intelligence concerning the Progress, which you have made, in the Loan, which has been opened by you for the united States of America. We are anxious to be informed that We may be able to acquaint our Constituents, and regulate our own Conduct in other Things. We should therefore be...
23The American Commissioners to Richard Price, 7 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library By one of the latest Ships from America, We had the Pleasure of receiving from Congress, an attested Copy of their Resolution of the sixth of October in these Words That the Honourable Benjamin Franklin Arthur Lee, and John Adams Esqrs or any one of them, be directed forthwith to apply to Dr Price, and inform him, that it is the Desire of Congress to consider him...
24The American Commissioners to Vergennes: Letter and Memoir, 7 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS and copy : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives; (II) LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères We have the Honour to inclose to your Excellency a Memorial of very great Importance to the United States, to which We beg your Excellency’s Attention and a favourable Answer. We have the Honour to...
25The American Commissioners to All Whom It May Concern, 18 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives These are to certify that the Bearer of this, Mr Gillam Tailor, is a Native and an Inhabitant of Boston in the State of Massachusetts Bay, that he is of a respectable Family, and unexceptionable Character. That he has acted for Some Years, in the public Service of the united States of America, in the Capacity of...
26The American Commissioners to Sartine, 25 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Translation: Archives de la Marine Nous avons l’honneur d’adresser à V.E. la copie ci jointe de la lettre que nous avons reçu de M. Langdon, de Portsmouth, ville de l’Etat de New-hampshire. Nous serons très satisfaits si l’avis qu’elle contient peut être utile à V.E. Tout ce que nous pouvons dire c’est que nous ne doutons pas que M. Langdon ne soit très capable d’exécuter ce qu’il propose; Et...
27Arthur Lee: Certificate, 28 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society; copies: University of Virginia Library, Indiana University Library This is to certify, that I this day examind with the Honble. Doctr. Benjamin Franklin, the trunk deliverd to him by my Brother the Honble William Lee, & said to contain the public & private Papers of the late Thomas Morris Esqr. Commercial Agent; & that the Seals & Strings upon the said...
28The American Commissioners to John Ross, 29 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have received your Letters of the fifteenth and Twenty-fourth of December, with their Enclosures, and once more assure you, that We have no Authority, to do any Thing in your Affairs, untill you have Settled your Accounts.— Whenever you Shall be ready to lay your Accounts before Us, We shall be ready to receive them...
29The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 29 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have been favoured with a Letter signed by many Gentlemen of Nantes and dated the fifteenth of this Month, informing us that most of their Vessels were ready to sail to America, and that others were expected to be ready immediately, so that the Convoy need not wait...
30Arthur Lee: Report on Montieu’s Accounts, 30 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies and transcript: National Archives Mr Lee’s report upon the foregoing Receipts given in to the Commissioners to support Mr. Montieu’s Account The Letter of Mr. Williams is as inexplicit & unsatisfactory as all his other Accounts. If Mr. Williams had done his duty he shoud have counted the Uniforms he receivd & returnd to the Commissioners the number of them, the quality of the cloath...
31The American Commissioners to Cornic, Veuve Mathurin & fils, 2 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We have written Instructions to Mr J. D. Schweighauser of Nantes to dispose of the Cargo of the Brig Morris Captain Gunnison, and to settle with you any demand you may have for Disbursements &c on her Account. We are &c In JA ’s hand.
32The American Commissioners to Sartine, 2 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (three), Library of Congress <Passy, January 2, 1779: We are obliged for the concern you expressed on December 22 for the American prisoners escaping from England. Our agents in Bordeaux, Brest, Lorient, Nantes and Dunkirk, as well as a volunteer in Calais, assist them. We will reimburse your commissaries engaged in this relief as we...
33The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 2 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) The Cargo of the Brig Morris Captain Gunnison, is to be weighed and an account taken of it and transmitted to Us and the Cargo itself delivered to the Farmers General, as the former was, taking their Receipt. If the Brig is in the service of Congress she may take the Remainder of the public...
34To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 2 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library; two copies and transcript: National Archives Mr. Montieu was informd by us all, that it woud be necessary for him to shew the receits from the Agent Mr. Williams, of the Articles chargd in his Account, before it coud be finally settled. He went down to Nantes where Mr. Williams & his Burau were. Instead of receits specifying the number, colour & condition of...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 3 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I enclose you a letter received Yesterday from Dr. Berkenhout, the Author of those which were communicated to you the Year before last on the same Subject. If you think any use can be made of it for the public Good, I shall be glad to be informed of it. One of those, which I sent you before with the Answer I proposed giving to it, I have searched for and...
36The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 4 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) <Passy, January 4, 1779: We acknowledge your undated letter, and refer you to ours of the second of this month. We cannot furnish Gilbank with more money; perhaps our protest of his bills will convince him. We have applied for the convoy with the greatest possible urgency. We approve your...
37The American Commissioners to Sartine: Two Letters, 7 January 1779: letter and résumé (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We have the Honour to inclose your Excellency two Memorials concerning a French Vessell retaken from an English Privateer by An American Privateer the Hampden commanded by Captain Pickering. As there is nothing in either of the Treaties between his Majesty and the united States,...
38The American Commissioners to Vergennes, [before 9 January 1779]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (drafts): Harvard University Library, Massachusetts Historical Society (two); two copies and two transcripts: National Archives The commissioners, particularly Lee and Adams, devoted substantial effort to the drafting of this memorandum asking that a powerful French fleet be sent to American waters. Their efforts were doomed to failure, at...
39The American Commissioners to Gentlemen at Nantes, 13 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress, National Archives (two) <Passy, January 13, 1779: We received yesterday your letter of the seventh and one from the comte de Vergennes, a copy of which is enclosed. We wrote his Excellency today requesting the convoy be sent to Nantes. We regret the convoy will not be able to go all the way to America, and hope it will continue...
40The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 13 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress We have the Honour of your Excellency’s Letter of the 9th of this Month, requesting to be informed of the Port where those Vessels are which have occasion for a Convoy to America. These Vessels are at Nantes where they wait for the Convoy, which...
41John Adams and Arthur Lee to Ralph Izard, 13 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We had the Honour of your Letter of Yesterdays date, on the same Day, informing Us of your having drawn a Bill upon Us, for five hundred Louis D’ors. We have the Honour to inform you that the Bill, being presented to Us, was accepted the same day by, Sir your most obedient &c BF , opposed to...
42John Adams and Arthur Lee to William Lee, 13 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) The Letter which you did Us the Honour to write Us on the 15 December, We have received.— As We have heard nothing further of the Congress in Germany, which you inform Us was talked of, We presume that no such Measure will take Place. However, whether there be a Congress or not, We cannot comply...
43The American Commissioners to Benjamin Gunnison, 14 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives We have written to Mr John Daniel Schweighauser of Nantes, to receive your Cargo and dispose of it; but he writes us that he is apprehensive you will require a Letter from us to you. This is therefore to authorize and direct you to deliver, the Cargo of the Morris to Mr....
44The American Commissioners to Sartine, 19 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We beg your Excellencys Pardon for delaying the inclosed Paper So long.—We had the Honour of your Letter in Season, but by some Means or other it was, not attended to so Soon as it ought. In JA ’s hand. One of the copies at the National Archives is in Ford’s hand. The enclosures that might have...
45Arthur Lee to Franklin and John Adams, 20 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My fever not being yet sufficiently removd to permit me to come to you; I write to you to submit the absolute necessity there is of informing the Minister without delay of the State of our Finances & that the Supply we have askd is immediately necessary. It is possible they may wait for such information before they put the intention we are told they have of...
46Arthur Lee to Franklin and John Adams, 22 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Virginia Library M. Monthieu calld on me yesterday, but I was too ill to see him. I suppose it was to urge the payment of his demand, which I am by no means yet satisfyd is due. The Papers he has given in, instead of vouching it, render it suspected. The only true & sufficient Voucher is the receit which Mr. Williams did give, or ought to have given to M. Peltier duDoyer at...
47The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 24 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives <Passy, January 24, 1779: We received your letter of the 20th enclosing M. de Sartine’s answer relative to the convoy we requested. We do not understand his reference to the four vessels supposedly mentioned by us and fear he has been misinformed. On December 29 we asked for a convoy. You asked...
48To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 24 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; ALS (draft): Harvard University Library Mr Monthieu’s Accounts & papers were at Passy when I saw them last. The public Accounts were there also & if they do not remain there still, I apprehend Mr Grand has them, the large one being signd by Mr. Deane which he therefore wished to keep. But I am confident you had a copy of it, & that he will tell you the...
49The American Commissioners to John Gilbank, 26 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We have received your Letter of the twenty first of this Month, and in Answer to it, We assure you that We cannot indorse your Bills, as you propose. We are your humble servants In JA ’s hand.
50The American Commissioners to Gentlemen at Nantes, 26 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) <Passy, January 26, 1779: We received your letter of January 21 yesterday. You ask which ports are free pursuant to the treaty. As yet none have been specifically designated. All French ports are open to all American vessels, and it would not be politic to apply for any further distinctions,...